BIG AIR BOMBARDMENTS

Chronicle (Levin), 21 October 1948, Page 7

BIG AIR BOMBARDMENTS

(N.Z.P.A.—

-Reuter,

Heavy Fighting Continues In Palestine

Copyright)

•Received Thursday, 9.25 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 20 Strong air bombardments of both Jews and Arabs were in progress in the Negev area today, said United Nations observers at Gaza. They said they counted 67 bouibs dropped during the night in five Jewlsh areas. ^ Other observers reported that three Israeli corvettes shelled the coast of Majdal, 14 miles north of Gaza. It is' stated that the Majdal Hospital was destroyed. " Reuter's Tel . Aviv correspondent says that heavy fighting is reported south of Jerusalem. The intensity of the fighting was unequalled in the last days of the fighting in the Jerusalem area. In Tel Aviv the Israeli Cabinet is considering the Security Council order for a cease fire in the Negev. A Foreign .Office spokesman stated that the Government had received and acknowledged a letter informing them of the council's decision, but no direct cease fire order had yet been received from the acting mediator, Dr. Ralph. Bunche. In Cairo the Premier, Nokrashy Pasha, announced that Egypt had received the United Nations call for a cease fire in Palestine, but he did not know when it would become operative. It was up to the mfidiator to fix the .details.

There is no doubt that the Israeli forces are .strong enough to force the Egyptians to withdraw from the greater part of Negev. Tlife Times' correspondent adds that the intensity of the Israeli air offensive is proof that the methods the Jews j adopted To acquire aircraft, were as effective as the organisation of illegai immigration. The Jews possess enough jeeps because trucks and jeeps were not regarded as military equipment under the terms of the truce. The poor hglUing qualities of the Egyptians which have so far been an important f'actor contributing to the suecess of Israeli arms, will certainly not be improved by def'eat. Israeli officers have a profound contempt for their opponents and arc convinced they can be beaten bei'ore United Nations can intervene. An Egyptian spokesman said Egvplian aircraft yesterday destroyed 2:» .Tewish armoured vehicles and inflieted heavy easualties during fighting in Southern Palestine. Egvptian aircraft also raided Jewish settlements used as attack and supply bases and shot down two Jewish planes into the sea during an air battle for the loss of one Egvptian aircraft.